Gareth Fullerton

Northern Ireland football supporters are seeking a ticket boost for this summer’s Euro 2016 finals.

It emerged yesterday that Republic of Ireland fans are to benefit from an additional 6,502 tickets after the FAI held talks with European football’s governing body last week.

FAI chief John Delaney said: “I am very happy to say that following meetings with Nyon, Switzerland last Friday UEFA have awarded Republic of Ireland fans with 6,502 more tickets. These tickets will go some way to satisfying the huge demand for Ireland matches at EURO 2016.”

The Republic’s total ticket allocation is now 32,502 after over 275,000 applications for tickets were made over the last few weeks.

Northern Ireland fans are facing up to Euro disappointment after 50,000 applications were made for just 25,000 tickets for the three group games against Poland, Ukraine and Germany.

“We have just been made aware of the Republic getting more tickets, and it is something we would like the IFA to look into,” said McAllister, chairman of the Amalgamation of Official Northern Ireland Supporters’ Clubs.

“We want to see if there is the potential for Northern Ireland fans to get a bigger ticket allocation.

“The demand has been massive, and our main concern is that those fans who regularly attend games get to see Northern Ireland play in France this summer. If there were more tickets available, then there would be a better chance of that happening.”

Irish FA president Jim Shaw said any ticket boost for Northern Ireland fans would be welcome.

“It is certainly something the IFA can look into,” Shaw said.

“We want as many fans as possible to get to see Northern Ireland play in this summer’s Euros.”